Improvement in lasting-machines for boots and shoes



3 Shets-Sheet 2. G. W. COPELAND, E. WQO-DWARD &. 11.3mm.

. .LASTING-MAOHINE FOR BOOTS- AND SHOES.-

Patented June 12, 1877.

Z 3 w J WW @WZ WITNESSES N PETERS, PHOT LITHOGRAF ER ASH NGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OEEroE.

GEORGE W. COPELAND, OF MALDEN, AND ERASTUS WOODWARD AND MATTHIAS BROOK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO SAID COPELAND.

'IMPROVEMENT m LASTIN'G-MACHINESQFOVR Boers AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 191,937, dated June 12, 1877; application filed May 26, 1877.

Suffolk, and MATTHIAS BROGK, of said Bos-' ton, all in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Lasting Boots and Shoes; said improvements being develop.- ments and improvements of various devices embodied in patents heretofore granted to George W. Copeland.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan of our improved machine; Fig.3, a vertical section of the same; Fig. 4, a horizontal section upon line y 11 Fig. 1; Fig. 2, an enlarged plan of toe and heel lasting devices; Fig. 5, a section of Fig. 4 on line 00 :10, showing the toesupport and stretching and smoothing pad; Fig. 6, a vertical section of Fig. 1 on line 22; Figs. 8 and 9, our improved lasting-girth; Fig. 7, a section showing the operation of the same; Figs. 10 and 11, details of toe stretching and smoothing pad; Fig. 13, finger-plates; Fig. 1 oscillating bar for the same; Fig. 14, the wrinkle-sweeping fingers.

The object of our inventions is to produce an automatic boot and shoe lasting machine; and they consist of, first, an improved girth for lasting the vamp,- consisting of two series of unyielding straps, connected or disconnected, rigidly secured at one end to the adjustable fingers of the vamplasting apparatus, and at the other end secured to a set of springs or weights at the opposite sides of the same, performing essentially the same functions as would be performed by a persons interlaced fingers if 'endeavoring to form the vamp to the upper part and around edges of last over the inner sole; second, an improved heel-lasting device, consisting of substantially an elastic heel-pad embracing and forming the quarters, and a pair-of oscillating finger-plates for turning and smoothing the upper over the edges of the last, as will be hereinafter more fully described; third, improved automatically adjusting friction toe stretching and smoothing pad, embodying a spring-pad capable of verticaland yielding motion against the toe operating usually after the girth has performed its functions, the pad reaching nearly to the girth; fourth, improved toe-lasting mechanism, being a combination of Wrinkle-sweepiug fingers with each of a pair of oscillating,'turning, and smoothingfinger-plates, as Will be more fully described; fifth, an improved method of adjusting heel and toe clamping and lasting mechanism, whereby they assume automatically the most advantageous positions with reference to the girth for the various sizes, as will be hereinafter shown and described; sixth, an improved adjustment for regulating the vertical rise of the girth-fingers, consisting of the adjustable cam on the secondary lever of the train actuating .thefinger-carrying cross-head; seventh, im-

proved automatic heel and toe supports, consisting of a post resting upon a cam, the cam being preferably actuated by the upward rise of the cross-head; eighth, certain means Whereby the last is adjusted upon the heel-support with reference to the toe-lasting mechanism.

The frame, cross-head, and adjustable. lasting-fingers having been fully described in the preceding patents no mention of them is necessary.

The improved adjustment for regulating the vertical rise of the girth-carrying cross-head U is clearly shown by Fig. 3, and it consists 'of the cam a, operated by the adj ustiu g-screw 12 moving upon the curved part of the secondary lever of the series, andthe roll 0 attached to the third lever of the series, theface of the roll 0 impinging upon the face of the cam a, the vertical face of the cam a giving the desired strength, made fast to the stands d, Figs. 1 and 7. It will be clearly seen that when the crosshead is raised (with a last and upper properly secured by the heel and toe clamps) one portion of the girth must be drawn past the other, producing upon the upper a drawing pressure, commencing at the center or median line of the shoe, and continuing therefrom up and around the edge and over the inner sole with a constantly-increasing intensity, thus removing all wrinkles, and cansing the upper to closely conform to the shape of the last at that part subject to the action of the girth.

Upon the projecting tables B B of the body of the machine move the heel and toe clamping and lasting mechanisms. In'practice it has been found desirable that the rear straps of the girth should embrace the last at the narrowest part of the shank, a distance of about two-fifths of its length from the heel, and in order to cause the heel and toe clamping and lasting mechanisms to move to and from .each other in this ratio we have adopted the plan of so gearing the two parts together that the toe clamping and lasting apparatus will move about three-fifths while the heel mechanism moves about two-fifths of any desired length, the same girth thus answering for several sizes. It will be seen that the operation of clamping the last automatically adjustsit in position, whatever its length.

The device chosen is plainly shown by Figs. 1, 3, and 4, and consists of right and left screws 6 0, connected by the shaft f with gears of such size that theme mechanism will move about three .in the same time that the heel mechanism moves about two; or the same result can be accomplished by various means, as by using simply a right and left screw of proper pitch.

Our improved automatic heel and toe supports are shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and they consist of a post, with the toe-rest or heelspindle g g secured by a set-screw, so that, if wished, the height can be adjusted for extreme variations. The post 9 rests upon the wedge or cam h, actuated by the cam h Attached to the cross-head 0, between the wedge or cam h and the arm N, there is interposed the spring h for the purpose of allowing the cross-head O to continue its upward motion after the wedge or cam It has caused post 9 and its attachment 9 g to take a solid and immovable bearing upon the last.

To cause the wedge or cam to return to its normal position at the dropping of the cross head 0, a small spiral spring, h is used. It is obvious that, upon the moving upward of the cross-head O, the last held before by the heel and toe clamping mechanism is firmly secured from dropping before the girth-carrying fingers commence to move over the edge of the last to form the upper down upon theinn'er sole.

Attached to the carriage A, carrying the toe lasting and clamping mechanism, and

plates. equally to either toe or heel, is to allow the close to the toe-support, operates the improved automatically-adjusting friction toe stretching and smoothing pad i, Figs. 2, 3, 4, l0, and 11, consisting of a spring formed from a T-shaped piece of proper elasticity, the cross of the T being formed to embrace the smallest toe of the series to be operated upon, and of such length as to extend about to the front girth-strap, the curved part of the T being covered with any suitable material to produce friction upon the upper. tion of the pad i is after that of the girth D, the pad then moving up any desired distance, drawing and smoothing the upper around the edges of the last, the post of the T allowing sufiicient yield to prevent abrasion of the material operated upon. The desired movement is communicated to the pad 13, in the present instance, by meansof the treadlej, connected to the arm 9', moving the combined lever and slide 9' which moves the rack j which is connected to and moves with the adjustable toe mechanism. The rack causes the gear 2' to revolve the proper distance, which in turn gives motion to the crank 6 connected to the part 2', carrying the friction toe stretching and smoothing pad i.

Next attached to the carriage A of the toelasting mechanism is the adjustable and automatic toe-clamp k, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This adjustment is for the purpose of permitting shoes having different pitch at the tread of the toe to be clamped so that the finger-plates may be made to conform to the same. The adjustment of the clamp is accomplished by increasing or diminishing the length of the extensible connection by the right and left nut k The connection k is moved at the proper time by the slide k driven by the cam-path E of the cam E, that actuates the finger- The object of this clamp k, applicable wrinkle-sweeping fingers to commence at the center of the toe or heel to perform their functions without obstruction.

The toe-lasting mechanism attached to the carriage A, (shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, and 14,) consist of, first, a pair of oscillating plates, ll, Fig. 12, with round shanks, carrying at their outer extremities the adjustable fingerplates l P, Fig. 13. These finger-plates Z 1 are adjustable upon the are l, having for a center the point of revolution of the wrinklesweeping fingers 0 0, Fig. 14, and fastened in position by the set-screws m m. These oscillating plates are carried in the barrels n, attached to the small carriages a n moved by the levers n n that in turn receive motion from the cam-paths E and lever 0 the paths of the cam E, that engage with the rolls at the further end of the levers n, being of any convenient shape to give the proper motion to the fin ger-plates l 1 to enable them to accomplish their purpose of smoothing the upper and causing the wrinkles to assume certain desired positions found advantageous before nailing. The downward pressure required is The time of operaproduced by the small roll at the back ends of the barrels a a running (during the forward motion of the finger-plates) up the inclines a a and adjusted to the proper intensity by the thumb-screws a n placed under the carrier of the incliuesa M. The object of construct ing the finger-plates so as to allow them to oscillate is to cause them automatically to conform to the contour of the tread of the in nor sole when it is pressed to close the last.

The wrinkle-sweeping fingers 0 0, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 14, are pivoted to the finger-plates Z l by, and move around, the screw-pins 0 0 motion being communicated to them by connection with the carriage A by the links 0 0 swung on the screw-pins 0 0 the object of these fingers 0 0 being to force the Wrinkles or projections left by the clamping device 70 back from the end of the shoe operated upon. These Wrinkle-sweeping fingers, it is evident, canbe used at the heel as well as at the toe, if found desirable.

The heel-lasting apparatus is substantially the same as that for the toe. The toe-stretchin g and smoothing pad i being replaced by the stationary elastic heel-pad 12, Figs. 1, 3, and 6, re-enforced at the extreme points by the sprin grods 10 1), that cause the spring-pad to firmly embrace the quarters during the operation of the finger-plates while turning and pressing the upper over the inner sole, the function of the elastic heelpad 19 being to prevent the quarters buckling away from the last by stress applied above. The finger-plates of the heellasting mechanism, in the present instance,

are adjustable to various sizes and shapes of shoes by the thumb-screws p 19.

In practice, it has been found necessary to adjust that part of the toe of the last operated upon by the toe lasting and clamping mechanism to a line horizontal to the vertical axis of the machine, and to secure this result it is necessary that the socket for the heel-supporting spindle g should be fitted square with the horizontal line across the toe of the last, before alluded to. To bring the last into line with the heel and toe mechanisms, and also be sure of firm support beneath, the hole is preferably made a tapered square, two sides of the square being in the line desired, and the heel-supporting spindle g 'being made to conform thereto. It the hole'be round and tapering, the last, properly bored, will come into position for the horizontal line across the toe, before mentioned.

The operation of our improved lasting-machine, with the various parts properly assembled and adjusted, is as follows: The last, prepared as hereinbefore set forth, with the upper secured in the usual manner, is dropped upon the heel-supporting spindle g The carriages carrying the heel and toe clam ping and lasting mechanisms are then moved so as to clamp the last firmly at the ends and on the sole, and, of course, from the preceding description of the various parts of" the machine,

the inner sole. Partial motion is then given to the toe-lasting mechanism, the result being to remove the automatic toe-clamp and cause the finger-plates to move nearly to the upper. The improved toe-stretching and smoothing pad is then raised the proper-distance necessary to enable it to stretch and smooth that part of the toe unacted upon by the girth.

Motion is again applied to the toe-lasting mechanism, and the finger-plates move forward and over the edges of the last, their motion causing, as hereinbefore described, the wrinkle-sweeping fingers to move from the center of the toe outward, carrying before them any surperfluous material, and by the time the finger-plates have arrived at the end of their forward motion the wrinkles have assumed the only positions that the form of the fingers will allow, and the upper at the toe has been pressed firmly to the last and inner sole.

7 The same description, taken in connection with the body of this specification, will answer for the heel-lasting mechanism. After the upper is formed as required, it is secured to the inner sole by any suitable means, and the machine returned to its normal position of rest.

After all the shoes required of one shape and style are finished, if the spring of the tread of the last at the toe, for the next lot,

should increase, shortening the connection 70 of the toe-olamp 1c, and dropping the thumbscrews a n the proper distances will give the required adjustment, so that the finger plates will move over the upper without disturbing the inner sole or causing injury to the material operated upon.

To assist in securing this result it has been found convenient to bevel sufficiently the edges of all parts that move over the inner sole.

The advantages of our improved machine, and the various automatic motions hereindescribed, are many and important.

The girth fulfills the functions required of it in a superior manner. Its parts are inexpensive and of great durability, and if'any one of them should be injured or become otherwise unfit for use from any cause, it can be readily replaced and adjusted without skilled attendance. No care is required to adjust or secure the last firmly in position, whatever its size, and no matter what its shape, the machine can be made ready to receive it in a few minutes.

The heel and toe clamping mechanisms automatically avoid interference with all other moving parts. The wrinkle-sweeping fingers cause that part of the toe of the boot or shoe most exposed to view in wear to be the most perfect, and the finger-plates, with their various adjustments, govern perfectly the intensity with which the upper is pressed upon the inner sole, and control the position of the wrinkles, as hereinbefore described.

From the description given of the operation of our improved machine, it will be plainly seen that to apply power to operate the parts now moved by hand or foot will not require further invention, but only the ordinary skill of the draughtsman.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A girth for lasting the vamp, consisting of two series of unyielding straps connected or disconnected, rigidly secured at one end to the fingers of the vamp-lastin g apparatus, and at the other end to a set of springs or weights on the opposite side of the machine, substantially as described.

2. In combination with an elastic heel-pad, embracing and supporting the quarters of the shoe, and with reciprocating folding-plates of the springrodsp 10 all arranged and operating substantially as described.

3. A spring toe stretching and smoothing pad having avertical motion, and also adapted to move against the upper at the toe in combination with suitable devices for folding the upper over upon the sole, substantially as shown and described.

4. For toe-lasting devices, the combination of wrinkle sweeping fingers with oscillating turning and smoothing finger-plates moving in unison therewith, substantially as described.

5. In a lasting-machine the right and left screws, as shown in combination with gears operating to bring the shoe, without regard to its size, into the proper position, with reference to the girth, for the purpose, and operating substantially as described.

6. The automatically-acting heel and toe supports, consisting of a post resting upon a cam or wedge, the cam or wedge being actuated at the commencement of the upward rise of the girth-carrying cross-head, substantially as and for the purposes described.

head, substantially as and for the purposes described.

9. In combination, the vibrating toe-rest, post, and set-screw, substantially as described. 10. The vibrating or oscillating toe-rest, in combination with the toe-lasting mechanism,

substantially as shown and described.

11. The combination withreciprocating toe-v lasting plates ofv a reciprocating toe-clamp arranged to operate between such plates, acting alternately, substantially as shown, and for the purposes described.

12. The automatically removable toe-clamp, forming an abutment for the toe of the boot or shoe to rest against when adjusted in place, and also serving as a clamp to prevent the boot or shoe from rising when acted upon by the girth, substantially as shown and described.

13. In'combination with the cam or other :actuating mechanism, the folding-plates provided with an oscillating or rocking motion, for the purposes substantially as set forth.

14. In a lasting-machine, oscillating plates for lasting the heel or toe, provided with fingers controlling the position of the wrinkles or folds, substantially as described.

15. In a lasting-machine, oscillating fingerplates provided with fingers for sweeping the wrinkles or folds into the desired position, substantially as and for the purposes described.

16. The combination with oscillating fingerplates of the reciprocating toe-clamping device, substantially as'shown and described.

17. In a lasting-machine the combination of the arm h, the spring h, wedge or cam h,

spring h post g, and oscillating toe-support g 18. In a lasting-machine the combination of the lever. j, arm j, combined arm and slide j rack j, gear i crank i and toe stretching and smoothing pad i.

19. In a lasting-machine, the combination of the right and left screw 0 e, and shaft f, suitably geared to produce motions of the heel and toe lasting mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes described.

20. In a lasting-machine, the combination of the toe-clamp k, connection k nut 70, slide W, and cam-path E 21. In a lasting-machine, the combination of the finger-plates l oscillating-plates l, bariI'g ls n, carriages n, levers n, and cam-paths 22. The tapering square spindle, in combination with a last mortised or bored for the reception of the spindle at right angles with a line across the tread of the toe portion of the last, for the purposes shown and described.

GEORGE W. COPELAND. ERASIUS WOODWARD. MATTHIAS BROOK.

Witnesses:

H. W. KITTRIDGE, FRANK G. PARKER. 

